Barbara Butz, 2006
While it was a cold and blustery day, Barbara our River Cruise docent was very good and kept our mind off the weather and on the stories of architectural features – Pat_S
Tom Carmichael, 2007
Tom Carmichael was phenomenal, we had a wonderful River Cruise and learned so much about the buildings and city of Chicago…Tom spoke with clarity and was easy to listen to and understand, thanks to the crew for expertly navigating us through the waterways and making this such a memorable trip… – Deidre P
Alice Daniele, 2019
Top experience. You see all the interesting buildings of Chicago. The River Cruise guide Alice was really tops. – Ilse Ons
Rebecca Dixon, 2003
Rebecca was a great Art Deco on the Riverfront guide, and I learned a lot about Art Deco and the vocabulary and history behind it! – MaryBeth R
David Ferguson, 2020
We loved our Walk Through Time architectural tour given by David through the Chicago Architecture Center on Wacker Street in downtown Chicago. David was incredibly knowledgeable and thorough about the history of the development of Chicago and its amazing architectural history. I highly recommend this tour. It gives you a great overview of Chicago architecture and reminds you how unique and special the city of Chicago is. – Mary Jane E
Kent Foutty, 2009
Expectations were high and were exceeded by miles. Very professional at every stage. But the star, other than the city, which is architecturally AMAZING, was our docent Ken. Entertaining, knowledgeable, good communicator, personable. Like other reviewers I have to say it is the best of such tour’s I’ve done and would do it again. And recommend it to everyone. Kent refuses tips… – dewitthouse San Diego, California
Deb Frels, 1998
Another fantastic tour by Deb. This Art Deco Loop Skyscrapers is one of my favourite activities to do when I visit Chicago. Whether an architect by background or amateur enthusiast there is an appreciation and knowledge from the guides that provides a greater insight into the buildings on the tour. Looking forward to my next tour tomorrow! – Adam S London, UK
Virginia Gerst, 2007
What a joy and privilege it was to be in a Chicago Architecture Center tour of the Old Post Office yesterday morning. Our docent was Virginia Gerst. She provided us with a charming and insightful look at this amazing building. Her presentation included fascinating bits of history of our city, its postal system and this remarkable building. It was wonderful to hear her story of the adaptation of the building, a grand and glorious success at a time of difficulty in Chicago. Virginia is a terrific docent. I know you have many such docents in your programs. Thank you.
Delta Greene, 2008
Knowledgeable tour guide Delta took us on a chronological tour of Chicago architecture – Walk Through Time. Love that they provide listening devices so you won’t miss any information! – Jason H Katia J
Patricia Grund, 2001
Patricia was an excellent River Cruise tour docent. Her knowledge and love of architecture made for an informative and enjoyable trip. There is always something new to be learned on the architecture tour. I highly recommend the tour ! – Meta L. Saint Louis, MO
Mary Jo Hoag, 2007
I have been to Chicago numerous times on business and this year (2022) finally took the River Cruise and was very glad I did. The whole was outstanding as an intro to the city’s history and the importance of architecture and American history as well as an educational entertaining ride. You can’t beat it. I have to say our docent, Mary Jo, was brilliant, She is obviously an expert on architecture, but also treats it as a story with characters and background that make it entertaining, humorous, and personal. I have been on dozens of tours like this in SF, Seattle, Boston, and Europe and this one is at the top of the list. It is more than worth the price. – cdanthony Westfield
Doug Hurdelbrink, 2019
Doug, our Elevated Architecture: Downtown ‘L’ Train guide, had great knowledge and good presentation. Gives a different perspective of the great architecture downtown. – Darcy_M
Dan Johnson, 2016
We did this River Cruise boat ride on May 16th at 10am our guide was Dan Jay HE WAS EXCELLENT!! We love the trip … highly recommended Chicago First Lady tours. Hope to be back in America again next May 2023 and have to do the trip again!! – Mary J Waterford, Ireland
Larry Kameya, 2013
What a wonderful River Cruise tour. Larry did an amazing job. We were thrilled to understand the city in a more elaborate way. Truly recommend. – Anne W Brunswick, Ohio
Judith Kaufman, 2010
The River Cruise is a wonderful way to see Chicago. The views from the river are quite stunning, providing enough space to see more buildings than one ever can walking down the street. Judith our tour guide was quite knowledgeable about the buildings we passed and put in lots of fun facts. Highly recommended! – kraegel Grand Rapids, Michigan
Tom Lenz, 2020
Tom was our Walk Through Time docent and was just fabulous. The tour was informative and entertaining. Tom clearly has spent time really learning all of the history and interesting factoids. We are anxious to do more walking tours now. Many thanks! – Lisa B Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN
Amanda Lewis, 2019
The Historic Treasures tour was fantastic and very informative. Amanda was our docent and she is organized, personable and well versed in this topic. We learned and saw a lot. Definitely recommend. – ray Long Island, NY
Burt Michaels, 2019
Great to see the city from a different perspective. So much history. Our Historic Treasures tour guide Burt was super good. Will consider doing other tours. – TCMimi New York City, New York
Jonelle Niffenegger, 2003
Janelle was wonderful on the Northwestern University campus tour! Knowledgeable as an alum and as a docent. I highly commend this tour. – BOBrien18 Chicago, Illinois
Mark Purdome, 2019
I have been on three of these architectural River Cruise tours over the past few years. This one was by far the best. That can be attributed to our extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic docent, Mark. he was superb! – Edward_M
Susan Robertson, 2009
Great guide (Susan R) very knowledgeable on the Art Deco Riverfront Skyscrapers tour. Healthy walk with many interesting buildings dating from the 1920s. Ends in the Merchandise Mart, once the world’s largest building! – Wander228519 Bellaire, TX
Mitch Rosenfeld, 2016
A fantastic experience! Mitch was a wonderful Walk Through Time guide, full of knowledge about both the architectural styles and the history of the city that influenced the buildings. I never knew there was so much different detail to learn. Would definitely do it again. – Jason H
Russ Seward, 2005
Russ was a gem! I’m sure his wife was happy to get him out of the house – but we were sure glad that it meant we got a great River Cruise tour! – Psyha Bologna
Matt Sheffer, 2019
I highly recommend the Historic Treasures tour. Our guide, Matt, was very friendly and informative. It gives you a very good picture of the history of Chicago and some of the architectural treasures on view if you know where to look! Very entertaining and enjoyable. – William L London, United Kingdom
Ronnie Jo Sokol, 2006
Ronnie was our River Cruise docent. Informative, friendly and with a charming Chicago accent. Answered the questions we didn’t know we had. Feel like we got a good sense of what makes Chicago tick on our first trip here. – MayaA
Bob Sutter, 2019
This was a truly outstanding River Cruise tour. The staff/crew were extremely nice and the tour was led by a volunteer docent (Bob) who was exceedingly friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely one of the best guided tours I’ve ever taken and would highly recommend. – catraveller7 california38
Mitzi Walchak, 2003
My third time on the River Cruise and I would go back tomorrow!! Volunteer Tour Guide/Docent “Mitzi” was exceptional in crafting a historical, geographical, environmental and socially fascinating background to the magnificent architecture of Chicago. Articulate, well-spoken and easily understood, it was the highlight of our trip to Chicago. If you don’t do any sightseeing in Chicago, DO THIS CRUISE!!! – Amanda B Phoenix, Arizona
Gary Wenzel, 2016
First Lady River Cruise boat tour with Gary was amazing! He’s knowledgeable & not one of those crazy tour guides… enjoyable! – Julie S Olathe, Kansas
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